When Amy Nowaczyk realized the personal connections she could make as an elder law attorney, she decided to pursue it as a career.

“I never imagined that I’d be an attorney. The practice of law seemed boring to me; I thought it was all about reading dry statutes, rules and regulations,” she said.

“While working as a paralegal in 2004, I began to see the connections between law and psychology. I never considered the counseling side of the practice of law.”

Nowaczyk now assists clients with personal needs – clients who have lost family members, or have a parent who is incapacitated – as an associate attorney at John M. O’Drobinak, P.C. in Crown Point.

After studying psychology at Valparaiso University, Nowaczyk earned a master’s degree in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology from Illinois Institute of Technology in 2001.

After a successful career in that field, she graduated in 2012 with a law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law.

“I am able to use my knowledge of the law, community resources, and my psychology background to give clients a more broad perspective,” she said.

“I like being able to educate clients and help put their worries at ease. Each client’s situation is unique and I can use creativity to solve their problems.

I think the main struggle in my line of work is overcoming the negative stereotypes that are attached to my profession. It’s critical to establish a level of trust with clients.”

A mother of three, Nowaczyk also teaches several online psychology classes via Argosy University and Kaplan University.

“I wanted to teach so I could keep in touch with my psychology roots and share my professional psychology experiences with my students,” she said.

Nowaczyk resides in Crown Point, and attends St. Mary Catholic Church. She is a member of the Indiana Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

To nominate someone for this feature, contact kimberly.a.cheek@gmail.com.